Utah Jazz Sign Pair of Forward Prospects to 3-Year Deals

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The Utah Jazz will roll the dice on a pair of prospects. On Monday, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Utah is signing forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. and forward Darius Bazley to non-guaranteed three-year contracts.
Free agent F Kenneth Lofton Jr., is signing a three-year non-guaranteed contract with the Utah Jazz, sources tell ESPN. Lofton has played with the Sixers and Grizzlies this season. pic.twitter.com/yLzoFNI2Gy
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 11, 2024
Free agent F Darius Bazley is planning to sign a non-guaranteed three-year deal with the Utah Jazz, sources tell ESPN. He’s averaged 21 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists for Delaware of G League this season. pic.twitter.com/lA1KpwJrf7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 11, 2024
Lofton has some experience playing at the NBA level. He’s logged 43 games in his short career, averaging 3.9 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. Most of his time has been spent with the Memphis Grizzlies, but he also played two games this year with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Lofton is known for his wide body and physical style of play. He’s listed at 6’ 7 and 275 pounds and can use his weight advantage to create separation on the block.
Bazley’s most recent stint was with the 76ers this year. He’s also spent time with the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the 2020-21 season, he averaged 13.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Thunder.
Bazley has proven he can be a solid contributor in an NBA rotation, and signing with a franchise in the midst of a rebuild may be just what the doctor ordered. This season, he’s averaging 21 points and 9.9 rebounds per contest with Delaware in the G-League.
The Jazz continue to show interest in bringing in players that can be developed in the G-League. Lofton Jr. and Bazley will join Isaiah Thomas and Jason Preston of the Salt Lake City Stars. Preston is the one that has impressed as of late, averaging 21.3 points on 51.2% from the field over his last ten games.
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Patrick Byrnes is the Deputy Editor of The Frozen Rope — SI.com's team website covering the Utah Jazz.
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